NU Deplores Burning Of Shiite School In Sampang

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The executive board of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has deplored the burning of a Shiite boarding school in Sampang on the island of Madura in East Java recently.

"No religion condones violence done under whatever name," the chief of the country's largest Islamic organization, KH Said Aqil Siraj, said here on Friday.

Therefore, he called on all sides to exercise restraint so that the notion of "Islam is a blessing for all" could really materialize and  "our oriental values can prevail."

NU appealed to all people not to easily to take the law into their own hands when facing problems in social relationships.

NU also urged the government to seriously meet its obligation of ensuring  the rule of law and protecting all citizens regardless of their religion or faith.

The Misbahul Huda school managed by a Shiite group in the village of Nangkernang, Karang Gayam, in the district of Sampang was attacked by a group of people on Thursday (Dec 29).

In the incident three houses and a house of worship are burned but there were no casualties.

More police meanwhile had been sent to the location to ensure  security.

Sampang police chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Solehan said he had deployed 800 men including military personnel to prevent the incident from recurring.

Due to the incident hundred families had been forced to live in evacuation centers.(IGT/T007)